Its Official!

I got a call at the end of the day informing me that my adoption has been approved.  I have waited 72 days for this letter (known as the LOA).   I was jumping for joy when the China team told me that I would be traveling to pick up Yi Mei in June. 

There are two travel groups leaving in June:  June 6th and June 24th.  Of course, I want to leave with the June 6th group so that I can spend the majority of my summer break with Yi Mei.  The agency said I would most likely be traveling with the latter group, as the paperwork leading to immigration approval can take up to 12 weeks.  I am still holding out for the earlier date, as I know that I have many friends praying and all things are possible with God.

It is celebration time and I am going to celebrate by getting a pedicure with my friends.  I am also going to write a letter to Yi Mei this week and send her  something special.

Here is what the LOA looks like:

Showered With Love

My dear friends from work threw a shower for Yi Mei today.  Though I new of the shower, I couldn't have been more surprised when I walked into the teacher's lounge to find the tables decked out in pink with green polka dots, origami and the most beautiful bouquet of spring flowers.  In the center of the table was an adorable little girl's suitcase surrounded by gifts bags of every shape and color.  Maureen made her secret family recipe cupcakes for dessert. 

The teachers gave Yi Mei some wonderful items to play with while we are in China, as well as new pajamas and CD's and DVD's.  We also received all kinds of gift cards- I look forward to taking  Yi Mei out for her first ice cream cone and cherry limeade this summer.

We truly have everything we need and I feel blessed beyond measure.  I may not be able to pack her clothes yet, but I am going to pack her suitcase with toys for the trip.

Happy Birthday Yi Mei!

Today is Yi Mei's birthday.   Although she's not here yet, Yi Mei is constantly present in my heart and mind.  I thought about her all day wondering if they celebrated her birthday in the orphanage and if she enjoyed the card, stickers and book that I sent.

Since my relationship with Yi Mei has begun, I thought it was only fitting to light a candle and have a cupcake tonight.  I still had three of the yummy cupcakes left over from Wednesday's shower and I was happy to have an excuse to eat one :)

 

 I was anticipating that I might find my LOA in my inbox today, but no such luck.  It sure would be wonderful to recieve it over my spring break.  If it does arrive, there is still a possibility that I will be going to China before the school year ends.

 

 

The Year of the Dragon

Today is the start of the Chinese New Year celebration.  I can't help but wonder how Yi Mei is celebrating at her orphanage.  I know that the Chinese take weeks off to celebrate their New Year, attend parades and light fireworks.  The kids are given red envelopes with money, a tradition I hope to continue with Yi Mei. 

Waiting has been hard, but the new picture of Yi Mei in her bright red jacket has encouraged me.
I know it is just a matter of time now.  I love her so much already.  A friend sent me a poem which captures my my heart:

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life, 

But in my heart I know

The love I feel is deep and real

As if it had been so.

For us to have each other

Is like a dream come true

Though I didn't give you the gift of life,

Life gave me the gift of you.

~Author Unknown

A New Year

Though I enjoy the festivities of New Year's Eve, I am very fond of  New Year's Day.  New Year's Day represents a fresh start; a blank canvas full of possiblities.  It is a day for reflection and waiting on God to reveal what He has in store for the upcoming year.  Rather than making resolutions, I prefer to envision new possibilities.  A year filled with possibilities generates hope and excitement.  Today my heart is pregnant with hope and excitement because  becoming a mother is more than just a possibility- it has become a dream fulfilled!

Courage is the word that God has gave me, as I was journaling today. The kind of courage I am referring to is more about having the confidence to act in accordance with one's beliefs rather than the courage which speaks of facing danger/pain without fear. It is the courage that inspires one to live a life without regrets.

2012 will certainly contain moments of unimaginable joy and it will contain moments where I am stretched beyond my limits.  No matter what obstacles may come my way- whether it be insurance, day care, finances and my dad's health, I want to face them all with complete confidence that my God will come through.   

Here are some quotes about living life courageously:


Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.
-- Author Unknown

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Off to Beijing

Holt called me today to let me know that my paperwork is on its way to China.
I am thrilled that is will arrive before the year's end.  I am so amazed how quickly .everything got processed (especially considering my paperwork was sent over Christmas).  Six weeks from now I will receive a letter of acceptance.  I will send that off to the USCIS for final immigration approval.  The USCIS will send it to the US consulate in China, upon which my travel dates will be granted.  This whole process should take five to nine months.

I can now picture myself in China in the spring.  Now is the time to pull out the Rosetta Stone Chinese CD.

The End is in Sight!

When you are waiting for something of great importance, the wait can seem eternal!  Today my dossier came back from the Chinese Consulate adorned with colorful Chinese stamps.  These stamps are stamps signifying approval of all I have worked these past six months.

I am celebrating that these documents arrived before I leave for Chicago.All I  have to do is photocopy these and send my dossier to Holt International in Eugene.  The home office will take up to three weeks for final processing and then it is off to Beijing!

"I will go before you and level the mountains.  I break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.  I will give you the treasure of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, God of Israel, who summons you by name"  Isaiah 45:2-3